Welcome Students:
Harry Reeder Center Overview
Welcome to the Harry Reeder Center for Pastoral Theology's student resource page. This is your starting point for discovering our dedicated faculty, exploring available scholarships, learning about our diverse degree programs, and finding answers to your most pressing questions.
Why study at a Center?
A center is more than just a department in a seminary.
A center is a funded entity that promises students opportunities to learn in an traditional learning environment (whether in person or online), but also promises opportunities for students to be participatory in:
- creating content
- working on significant practical and academic projects
- learning from and participating in conferences
- gaining access to a world-class faculty that is committed to a specific vision – narrow in its biblical mandate, diverse in its application, and global in its impact.
At the Reeder Center for Pastoral Leadership, we call this being "on mission, on message, and in ministry."
The mission of the church is narrow, the message of the gospel is singular, but the ministry of the Christian is broad – multifaceted, multicultural, and far-reaching.
Meet some of our world-class faculty
Learn from distinguished scholars dedicated to your theological and pastoral education.
BTS
Parish Presbyterian Church
Chris Pres, Nashville
FMBC, East Boyles
New Zion Baptist Church
Senior Trainer, ELI
Grace Fellowship Pres
Christ Church PCA
Campus Outreach B'ham
BTS
Scholarships
The Reeder Center offers 10 annual full scholarships (with a book stipend) for students in pastoral studies programs (Master of Divinity or the Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership).
Life as a Research Assistant
Students who are awarded the scholarships will be Research Assistants for the Reeder Center. As a Research Assistant, you are expected to contribute 10 hours a week to Reeder Center projects, starting with editing transcriptions of Dr. Reeder's existing sermons, classes, podcasts, blog posts, and lectures. Second year students can request to work with specific authors as their primary research assistants as they work on a variety of book projects from Dr. Reeder's existing content. There will be an average of four ongoing book projects a year.
Who are the scholarships awarded to?
- Students who are a minimum of 30 years old.
- Minimum of three-quarter time students (Full-time students must take five classes a semester, part-time students take two classes per semester, three-quarter students must take a minimum of three classes per semester)
- Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity or the Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership program
- Residential students in Birmingham
- Three scholarships are reserved for distance-based students at the discretion of the scholarship committee
The story behind the scholarships
The goal of the Reeder Center Scholarships is to allow second-career calling students the opportunity to move as quickly as possible through their degree program towards ordination in their denomination. This is very much in line with Dr. Reeder's own journey, who did not start seminary full-time until he was 32 years old. His program allowed him to go full-time while working in a local church to accelerate his studies. By this point in his career, he had already been deeply involved in ministry as a youth worker, and even a pastor ordained outside his eventual denomination. If this sounds like your pastoral trajectory, the Reeder Center might be just right for you!
How can I apply for a scholarship?
If you want to be a candidate for a Reeder Center scholarship, please indicate your interest by putting "Reeder Center scholarship" in the More Information box in the Start Your Journey form.
Available Degrees
Please note: By clicking a degree's "Learn More" button, you will be redirected to that degree's page on Birmingham Theological Seminary's website.
Training program for understanding Presbyterian theology and polity, offering comprehensive courses and flexible learning options for various roles in Presbyterian leadership.
Prepares students for leadership roles within the church, offering comprehensive biblical studies, systematic theology, and practical ministry training.
Integrates biblical studies, theology, and practical ministry, meeting diverse ministry aspirations and ordination requirements.
Trains pastors in Biblical servant leadership, focusing on cultural sensitivity, discipleship, and leadership development in a post-Christian context.
Focuses on church mission, multiplication, and revitalization, offering courses in church planting, revitalization, and coaching/mentoring.
The Doctor of Ministry in Chaplaincy is structured to equip chaplains with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective leadership and ministry in diverse and changing cultural landscapes.
Transforming Communities
with Truth and Love
"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
(Matthew 6:33)